MUNCIE, Ind. — Lawsuits claiming Muncie Community Schools violated the Constitutional rights of two former educators who criticized the school district are being settled out of court.

Retired teacher Kay Rankin and retired principal Mike Ryan sued after being banned in February from school property for "disruptive conduct." A month later, the ban was modified to allow them to continue to attend school board meetings — after the school district heard from their lawyer.

The primary target of the criticism was Superintendent Steve Baule, who spearheaded unpopular cost-cutting measures at the deficit-ridden school district.

While the lawsuit was filed in state court in Delaware County, the defendants had it removed to U.S. District Court in Indianapolis, where Magistrate Judge Tim A. Baker this week "has been advised by counsel that a settlement has been reached in this matter."

Jason Delk, attorney for Rankin and Ryan, is declining comment until the settlement is approved by the school board.

School board President Debbie Feick told The Star Press: "Our insurance carrier, Argo Group, has negotiated an agreed resolution that will be subject to board approval at our Sept. 12 meeting."

She, too, declined comment on the terms of the settlement. Insurance is covering the legal fees of Libby Roberts, a Fishers attorney defending Baule, the school board and the school district. She couldn't be reached for comment.

Ryan wore "Baule Must Go" T-shirts to school board and other meetings. He and Rankin accused the superintendent and school board of unlawfully rescinding early retirees' health insurance benefits (which did not affect Rankin or Ryan); of botching labor-contract negotiations with the Muncie Teachers Association (a fact-finder and a state board ruled in favor of the teachers); of harming the morale of teachers, staff, administrators and "the community as a whole;" and of "aggressive and unprofessional" behavior" on Baule's part.

The lawsuit accused the defendants of retaliating against the two former longtime educators by seeking to censor their Constitutionally protected freedom of speech.

The defendants denied the allegations. The defendants claimed Rankin and Ryan were interfering with the operations of the school. MCS claimed Rankin had unlawful access to the school property via keys that were not properly in her possession, which allowed her to access the school in a way that was not generally available to the public.

A settlement conference had been scheduled on Sept. 27 in the U.S. Courthouse in Indianapolis.